A very good question. (I'm glad you asked it). Ask Szonian. Here's somebody within the Mormon community. He started reading FR posts on Mormonism. And then he came to some different conclusions. (I won't pretend to tell his testimony...he could relay it himself).
Wouldn't you rather just do the best with your religion that you can and leave others to worship in the way they choose?
You know, I'd consider this a very fair question -- so long as you were asking Lds the exact same question.
On the one hand...
...here are a handful of FR folks who have several posts a week...
...On the Mormon side, they send out 60,000 Missionaries around the world who work 70 hrs a week for two years. (They've sent out over a million missionaries).
...And in MANY communities, 75% of more of those they visit are either Christians or have a Christian background. (And 86-95% of them, depending upon the community, usually already have another religion other than Mormonism)
Have you asked them, "Wouldn't you rather just do the best with your religion that you can and leave others to worship in the way they choose?
Now what's one of the main messages of Mormon missionaries? Well, Marion G. Romney used to be in charge of Mormon missionaries (in the 60s). Marion G. was Mitt Romney's dad's cousin. Marion would tell Lds missionaries that the apostasy & restoration was one of the top four things that they needed to share with folks they visited.
Do you know what Lds mean when they talk about "THE" apostasy? They say EVERY...
...Christian church,
...every Catholic church,
...every Protestant church,
...every Orthodox church,
...and every believer in those churches were apostates of the faith going back 1600-1800 years.
Beyond that, Lds tithe to translate one of their "scriptures" into over 100 languages -- verses which directly accuse Christian sects of having 100% of creeds which are supposedly an "abomination" (putrid) to their god. Likewise, it accuses Christian professing believers of being "ALL...corrupt."
Now, Mysterio. Tell us.
When's the last time you've asked a Mormon why he tithes to translate these slanderous accusations & publish them around the world?
When's the last time you've asked a Mormon missionary why he accuses all Christians & their churches of being an "apostate?"
And how is Mormons calling Christians "apostates" ANY different than Muslims accusing Christians of being "infidels?"
And note, mind you, these aren't just mere "opinions" of their leaders through the years. Mormons have ensured that these specific words about Christian sects were inserted into the Mormon god's mouth & canonized as Mormon "scripture."
Wouldn't Mormon "scriptures" and those who spread them rather just do the best with their religion that they can -- and leave others to worship in the way they choose?
I suspect somehow you've failed to ask that Q of 60,000 Lds missionaries "employed" 70 hrs a week for 2 years doin' the above; but you somehow look askance at just a few FReepers makin' some posts. (At least we don't ring a doorbell that people feel obliged that they HAVE to respond to).
60,000 MORMON Missionaries say that you are wrong.
This post is my opinion and understanding of what I’ve seen and read. There will of course, be differences of opinion about what I write here and that’s fine. Just posting my thoughts.
I think the problem most have with the postings is the confrontational nature or tone that comes across in typed words as opposed to hearing the verbal tone meant. The “inmans” aren’t opposed to mormons so much as they’re opposed to mormonism. I think we can all agree that the vast majority of mormons are good and decent people.
It took me a while to see through that and to understand that it’s more about “point-counterpoint” than “bashing”. These folks are softhearted. They will answer questions and provide guidance people are searching for.
I was a convert to the lds back in the early ‘90s and was ignorant of scripture. Figured it was “not really different” than many other Christian denominations.
Well, as I got a bit older I started to realize that alot of what they teach after you’ve been in the religion for a while didn’t jive with my basic understanding of Christianity. I’m married to a very active mormon and I can attest to the differences between the two.
The postings the “inmans” make are more for countering the false premises the lds use and to educate those like myself who are trying to comprehend the gravity of the mistake we made in joining the lds church. It’s also to educate those who may be having spiritual problems as a result of being lds all their lives as well.
Once the real history and truth of the lds religion is revealed, it should be difficult, if not impossible for folks to retain any notion of the “truth” of it. I can understand Christians’ consternation with the lds. When you’re told that you’re religion is an obimination by a 14 year old who claims to have seen God and Jesus and all he can say and write is that he saw “two personages”, you’re going to be a “tad” upset.
I came to realize that there will be consequences for following false prophets and for refusing to open one’s eyes to see the truth.
So, to answer your question asked of Colofornian, yes, there is a payoff. As I’m learning, it’s incumbent upon every Christian to spread the Word. And the “inmans” in doing so, have brought me out of the lds and into a clearer understanding of the falseness of the lds religion.
I hope my post brings some perspective.
FRegards,
SZ
Is there some payoff to this? I mean, really?
- - - - - - - - - - -
Watching someone fall on their knees before the Cross of Christ and accept Him (not a church) as their only means of salvation is the best “payoff” in the world.